Washing-machine.



W. H. VOSS.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY I9, 19I7. 1,285,486. Patented NOV. 19, 1918r 2SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Iof connecting rod .possible with no WILLIAM H. VOSS, OF DAVENPORT,IOWA.

WASHING-MACHINE.

vSpecification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 2&9, 1918.

Application mea Jury 19, lai?. serial No. 181.621.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLI'AM H. Voss, acitizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county ofScott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Washing-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly tosuch .machine in which the lid may be swung back, or removed, withoutdisconnecting the -con-A necting rod from the driving journals.

With the old form of connecting rod, it is necessary before raising thelid of the tub to stop and go through the laborious operation 'ofdisconnecting or removing the connecting rod from the driving mechanismfor the reason that in swinging back the lid (when the same is hinged)the distance between the points of connection of the drivingmechanismwith the two ends of the connecting rod increases, and unlessthe con* necting rod were disconnected at one or both ends the fullswing of the lid could not be obtained. In instances where the lid isnot hinged, but removed bodily, this need for disconnecting theconnecting rod would be even greater. Th's disconnection or removalofthe connecting rod involves considerable time, labor, and veXation,allof which tends to decrease the efliciency and ease of operation ofthe machine. With the new form which I have invented, other possiblevdifficulties are completely overcome, and the swinging back or completeremoval of the lid made exertion or time necessary other than the mereoperation of a simple the foregoing and l latch.

Among the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide such formof washing machine that by a single simple operation of the operatorshand, :the connecting when the lid Vis swung back on its hinges;

rod may be instantly converted into such condition that its length willbe automatically increased as the lidis swung back or removed; furtherto effect the automatic locking ofy the parts of the connecting rod intoa rigid unitary structure when the lid is returned to its operativeposition; further toform such rod of two telescoping parts y that theymay be completely separated to entirely remove the A should it bedesired lid, or merely extended without separation necting rod furtherto provide a novel form of lock for such rod which non-extensibleposition when in operative position, and which by a simple touch of theoperators linger will permit the extension of the rod to take place whendesired; further to provide such rod that will permit the removal orswinging back of the lid without disconnecting one or both ends of therod from the journals which connect therewith; further to provide suchcombina-v tion of connecting rod with washing machine mechanism as tomake possible a quick and easy separation as well as connection of themechanism on the top of the tub With that below the tub; and further .toprovide such combination, construction and arrangementsof parts as willresult in a more simple, economical, and efficacious washing machinethan herefore known.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the following descriptionproceeds, and while I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of myinvention, I desire it understood that the same is susceptible ofmodiiication and change without departing from the spirit ofmyinvention. In, the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a washL ing machine embodying myinvention, and

. showing the lid in 'closed position'.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing the lid in open positionand the condistended.

Fig. 3 is a detail in section of the upper v.portion of the connectingrod and showmg the telescoping parts in closed and locked position.

Fig. 4 Yis a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the parts in distendedposition.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the upper portion of Fig. 4. v

Referring to the drawings:

Upon the tub l is a cover or' lid 2, which ,is provided with suitablemeans for locking it in operative position thereon. Secured to the topof the lid 2 is suitable dasher operating mechanism, which comprisesgearing located within the housing 3, and opera'- tively connected withthe dasher 4. This mechanism also comprises the crank arm 5, which is'journaled in suitable bearings secured to the top of the lid 2. Upon thefree end of the crank arm 5 is a journal 6, which is journaledjin thupper end of the will hold the rod in rigid 1 connecting rod 7. Suitablyjournaled to the lower end of the connecting rod 7 is the journal 8carried by the crank arm'9, which is -mounted upon the drive shaft 10,which drive shaft is driven by any suitable source of motive power, andwhich in the embodiment illustrated is mounted on the frame work beneaththe tub.

The connecting rod 7 is composed of the rod portion 11 and the tubularportion 12, which rod telescopes within the tubular portion 12 as shown.Upon the upper end of the rod 11 is a casting 13 carrying the latch 14by means of the pivot 15, and which latch is provided with the fingerportion 16 and the catch 17. This latch14 is ivoted as shown within theslot 18 provi ed in the casting 13, which casting is suitably fastenedby threads, rivets, or otherwise, as desired, to the end of the rod 11.On the lower end of the casting 13 is the shoulder 19, the function ofwhich Will later appear. The tubular portion 12 has mounted upon itsupper endby means of screw threads or other suitable connection, thetransversely extending'v projection 20, the under face of which isbeveled as at 21, this bevel being such that when the face 22 of thecatch 17 is in engagement therewith, the relation between these surfaceswill be such as to hold the telescoping parts firmly locked againstseparation. When the parts 11 and 12 are completely telescoped, theshoulder 19 will be in engagement with the upper end of the tubularportion 12, should this tubular portion extend through the projection20, or in engagement with the upper end of the projection 20, should thetubular portion 12 not extend entirely therethrough; the particulararrangement of the structure inl this matter being a matter of choice.AUpon the lower end of the tubular portion':2f-12l is a suitable casting28, vwhich maybesecured thereto' by means 0of threads,.andwhich will belocked 1n position by meansof the lock` nut 24a The journal 8 of thecrank 9- before mentioned is journaledg'within ay suitable opening inthis` casing23'and held therein by means of a cotter-key 25. The journal6 of the crank arm 5 is-likewise mounted in an opening 1n the upper endof the casting 13., as shown in Figs.'1 and 2.

The operation of my improved washing machine is as follows: When the tubis in u se and the mechanism is in operative position, the connectingrod 7 'will be in position shown in Fig. 1, with the rod portion 11completely telescoped Within the tubular portion 12 and the catch 17 ofthe latch 14 in engagement with the bevel surface 21 of the lateralprojection 20. This engagement of the latch with the lateral projectionsecurely holds the telescopingparts 11 and 12 of the connecting rod 7.rigidly together, so

,c fhat motion from the crank arm 9 may be transmitted through theconnecting rod 7 to the crank arm 5, and from thence throu h the dasher.operating mechanism to t e dasher within the tub, and the connecting rodwill thus act as a unitary structure,"the saine as though no`telescoping parts had been provided. Should it be desired to open thetub and raise the lid thereof, this can be done without the labor andloss of time necessary in disconnecting one or both ends of theconnecting4 rod from the journals of the crank arms 5 and 9. This isaccom'- plished by grasping the finger portion 16 of the latch 14:, andraising the same slightly so as to disengage the catch 17 from the bevelportion 21 of the projection 20. After these parts are disconnected, thelid 2 may be raised, and. in so doing the rod portionk 11 will be pulledout of the tubular portion 12 a distance necessary to accommodate themovement of the crank arm 5, which is carried by the mechanism mountedon the top of the lid 2, which crank arm during the opening of the lidis given a movement in the arc of a circle,lthe center of which would beon a line through the hinges of the lid. When the lid is open, the partswill be in the position shown in Fig. 2, where it will be noticed therod portion 11 is withdrawn to a considerable distance from the tubularportion 12, but still not entirely removed therefrom. After the catch`17 is disengaged from the lateral 'projection 20 the latch 14 may bedropped, and it will occupy the position shown in Figs. v2 and 4. Whenit is desired, the lid may-be closed and such closing movement willreturn the rod 11 within the tubular portion 12, and when the lid iscompletely closed, the position of the rod 11 and tubular portion 12will be such that they will be completely telescoped, andI as the catch17 passes over the projection 20, the weight of the latch 14-will bygravity cause the catch 17 to automatically engage the bevel portionunder theprojection 20,

11o thus securelylocking the telescoping parts from further movementwith relation to each other, after which the connecting rod will operateas a unitary structure to drive the dasher operating mechanism. Y

It will thus 'be seen that Ihave provided t a mechanism in which the lidof the washing -machine may be raised or opened without any furtherwork, in so far as theconnecting rod is concerned, than merely raisingthe4 latch 14 from engagement with the projection 20, which as .shownabove, permits the rod portion 11 to be withdrawn th'e necessarydistance from the tubular portion 12. Should it be desired to entirelyremove the lid 2, together with its attached mechanism, this can be donefor the reason that the rod portion 11 continues of the same size to itslower end, thus'permittin it to' be entirely withdrawn froinx hetuiiularf-portion 12 if desired. My improved structure results inconsiderable saving of time for the reason that in opening or removingthe lid it is not necessary to disconnect either end of the connectingrod from the crank arm journals as has heretofore beenv necessary inwashing machines.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described an v extensible connecting rodcomprising two .`tion, whereby the telescoping parts telescoping parts,a journal bearing at the outer end of each of said parts, and a gravitylatch automatically operable upon the telescoping of said parts to lockthem together.

2. In apparatus of the class described an extensible connecting rodcomprising two` telescoping parts, one of said parts having aprojection, and the other of said parts having a gravity latch adaptedto ride over said projection and lock therewith upon the telescoping ofsaid parts.

3.' In apparatus of the class described, an extensible connecting rodcomprising a 4tubular portion having a journal bearing at one end, and atransverse projection at the other, a rod having a journal bearing atone end and a latch adjacent thereto, said rod being adapted totelescope into said tubular portion whereby the length of saidconnecting rod may be increased, and said latch being adapted to engagewith said projecmay be rigidly locked in operative position. j

4. In apparatus of the class described, an extensible connecting rodcomprising a tubular portion having a journal bearing at one end, and atransverse projection at the other, a rod having a journal bearing atone end and a latch pivoted adjacent thereto, said rod being adapted totelescope into said tubular portion whereby the length of saidconnecting rod may be increased, and said latch beingV adapted to engagewith said projection, whereby the telescoping parts may be rigidlylocked in operative position.

5. In apparatus of the class described, an

extensible connecting rod comprising a tubular portion having a journalbearing at one end and a transverse projection at the other, a rodhaving a journal bearing at one end and a pivoted latch adjacentthereto, said latch being provided with a finger operating portion and acatch portion, said rod being` adapted to telescope into said tubularportion and said catch portion to take under said projection wherebysaid telescoping parts may be rigidly connected in operative position. ll

6. In apparatus of the class described, a connecting rod comprising atubular portion having a journal bearing at one end and a transverseprojection at the other, a rod having a straight portion and an endportion, a journal bearing in said end portion and a latch pivotedadjacent thereto, a shoulder at the juncture of said end portion withsaid straight portion, a catch on said latch adapted to take undersaidprojection when said shoulder abuts the end of the tubular portion.whereby when said rod is completely telescoped into said tubular portionthe latch will hold these parts rigidly locked together, and uponreleasing said latch said telescoping parts may be extended.

7. In a washing machine in combination a tub lid, a dasher operatingmechanism on said lid and having a crank arm, a'main drive shaft havinga'crank arm, and an extensible connecting rod operatively connectingsaidtwo crank arms whereby said lid and dasher operating mechanism maybe swung back, or removed from the tub without disconnecting saidconnecting rod from said crank arms.

8. In a washing machine in combination a tub lid having dasher operatingmechanism secured thereto, said mechanism comprising a crank arm, anextensible connecting rod to one end of which is journaled said crankarm, a main drive shaft having a crank arm which is journaled to theother end of said connecting rod, and locking means on said connectingrod whereby said rod may be rigidly locked in operative position or uponrelease of said locking means said rod may be extended in length for thepurpose set forth'and described.

9. In a washing machine in combination a tub lid having dasher operatingmechanism securedthereto, said mechanism comprising a crank arm, atelescoping connecting rod journaled to said crank arm and comprisingatubular portion and a rod p0rtion telescoping into said tubularportion,a drive shaft having a crank arm j ournaled to the other end of saidconnecting rod, and locking means on said connecting rod whereby whensaid rod portion is completely telescoped into said tubular portion,these parts may be rigidly locked in operative position.

10. In a washing machine in combination a tub lid having dasheroperating mechavnism secured thereto, said mechanism comprising a crankarm, a telescoping connecting rod journaled to said crank arm andcomprising a tubular portion and a rod portion telescoping into saidtubular portion, a drive shaft having a crank arm journaled to the otherend of said connecting rod, a latch on one of said telescoping parts anda projection on the other over which projection said latch engageswhereby when said latch is released the telescoping parts may be movedwith relation to each other, and the connecting rod automaticallyextended as the tub lid is opened.

11. AIn a washing machine in combination a tub, a lid hinged thereto,dasher operating mechanism on said lid, said mechanism comiio p lo partstogether, and when said latch is released said connecting rod may beextended to accommodate the opening of the tub lid.

In Witness whereof, Iy hereunto subscribe my name to this specificationin the presence of tWo Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. VOSS.

Witnesses;

WILLIAM E. PULS, MARY E. BURRows.

